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Covenanter Escapes Injury in Earthquake
TURKEY (August 20, 1999) - At least one Covenanter escaped injury in the devastating earthquake that leveled buildings and claimed thousands of lives earlier this week.
David Rankin, a Covenant minister and former director of music at Redeemer Evangelical Covenant Church in Carrollton, Texas, was in Turkey to produce the first-ever Christian Worship Arts Conference near Ephesus, which apparently is some distance from the center of quake activity.
The Associated Press reports the death toll has passed the 10,000 mark, with some 35,000 people still believed to be trapped under the debris. The British Broadcasting Corporation estimates the number of injured at 45,000.
Covenant World Relief has already responded to the crisis, with funds directed to assist victims of the tragedy. "We are linking up with the evangelical churches in Turkey," said Timothy Ek, vice president of the Evangelical Covenant Church. "Although they are small in numbers, I believe what has occurred in Albania will again be repeated in Turkey," Ek said. "The acts of kindness in a difficult situation will both relieve the needs of neighbors and have the effect of helping the church demonstrate to their neighbors what Christian love and compassion is all about," Ek said.
Those interested in supporting assistance efforts for Turkish victims may do so by sending gifts to Covenant World Relief, 5101 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60625. Designate gifts for Turkey Earthquake Relief.
Following the first night of the festival concert, Rankin and his colleagues were informed that all music has been banned for a period of six months while the country is in mourning. Some 200 people gathered for the event, representing 17 countries. The focus of activity has now shifted to raising money to aid relief efforts, according to Covenant News Sources, with the musicians planning to conduct concerts in the streets and other areas to raise funds.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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